(Albany, NY) Answering the public’s call for immediate action on ethics reform, Senator Daniel Squadron, joined by members of the Senate Democratic Conference will hold the first ever interactive public forum on ethics reform on Wednesday, May 4th, in Albany.

Despite overwhelming public support, Senate Republicans continue to stall progress and refuse to allow public hearings on key ethics legislation. To break the Albany logjam and increase public participation, Senate Democrats will convene their own interactive ethics forum broadcast live over the Internet accepting viewer-submitted questions via Twitter, LiveStream, Facebook and E-Mail.

Under Senate Rule VII Section 4(b), the public forum will include discussion of legislation under the jurisdiction of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee and other proposed bills including:

State Senator Daniel Squadron said, "For Albany to do the people's business, we must change the way Albany does business. Most of the way through the legislative session, we have yet to see any action on the fundamental reforms that almost every Senator has pledged to support. Passage of a real ethics package will lend much-needed transparency and accountability to our state government, helping restore New Yorkers' trust and allowing us all to better tackle the dire challenges facing our state."

"With this first-ever interactive forum on ethics, we are bringing the public into the conversation. Live video and twitter will give all New Yorkers an important opportunity to listen, to ask questions, and to join us in demanding action on these vital reforms," said Squadron.

WHO:

Senator Daniel Squadron

Senator Liz Krueger

Senator Gustavo Rivera

Senator Joe Addabbo

Senator Tony Avella

Senator Neil Breslin

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky

Senator Velmanette Montgomery

Members of the Senate Democratic Conference

ATTENDEES:

Brennan Center for Justice

Citizens Union

Citizen Action of New York

Common Cause NY

League of Women Voters of New York

NYPIRG

WHEN: Wednesday, May 4th 1 PM (or immediately following the conclusion of session)